Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
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Bioinformatics Resources for the Study of Glycan-Mediated Protein Interactions
Published on: January 20, 2022
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Altered Glycosylation of PSA in Prostate Cancer Tissue
Hannu Koistinen1, Ruusu-Maaria Merivirta1,2,3, Timo-Pekka Lehto2,3,4
1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
The Prostate
|July 10, 2025
Summary
Altered protein glycosylation in cancer offers biomarker opportunities. This study identifies specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) glycoforms in cancerous prostate tissues, paving the way for improved diagnostic tests.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Protein glycosylation is frequently altered in cancer, presenting opportunities for biomarker discovery.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein, making its specific glycoforms potential cancer biomarkers.
- Identifying cancer-specific PSA glycoforms could yield valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in PSA glycosylation in prostate cancer.
- To identify specific PSA glycoforms associated with prostate cancer.
- To explore the potential of these glycoforms as diagnostic markers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ proximity-ligation assay (PLA) for PSA-glycoform detection.
- Employed a PSA-specific antibody and 25 different glycan-binding lectins.
- Analyzed tissue microarrays (TMAs) from prostate cancer patients and benign tissues.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated distinct PSA glycosylation patterns in cancerous versus benign prostate tissues.
- Found enrichment of PSA glycoforms detected by succinylated wheat germ (WGAsucc) and Vicia villosa (VVA) lectins in cancerous tissues (p < 10-4).
- Observed higher total PSA staining in benign tissues compared to cancerous ones (p = 6*10-14).
Conclusions:
- Confirmed that PSA glycosylation is altered in situ in prostate cancer.
- Identified specific lectins that preferentially bind to cancer-associated PSA glycoforms.
- These findings support the development of a novel serum test for prostate cancer diagnostics.
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